U.S. Democratic Party Politics

Latest Articles

For years, Democratic Governor John Baldacci, governors before him, and many legislators have made job creation their loudest mantra. “Jobs!” echoes under Augusta’s State House dome as the rationale for cutting taxes and expenses (services) and increasi Should we blame Baldacci now? By LANCE TAPLEY | June 05, 2009

The Maine Heritage Policy Center, a right-wing Portland think tank, has been bragging in news releases about how state leaders have followed its advice, approving a two-year state-government budget that, among other cuts, slashes school aid, programs fo Right wing celebrates state budget By LANCE TAPLEY | June 05, 2009

It's only fitting the news media seem to have missed James J. Walsh's death. Even when Walsh was alive, the rare instances when he attracted publicity never worked out too well for him. The only reason he had any kind of political career was because he Just because nobody pays attention doesn't mean a guy can't make a royal mess of things.
By AL DIAMON | May 29, 2009

In a state known for its political obsessions, there is remarkably little in the way of rabid protest here. A disastrous election in '08. A depleted war chest. Dismal approval ratings for the outgoing governor. Yet the faithful see hope for a Republican revival By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | May 15, 2009

We interrupt the Lincoln Chafee buzz fest to bring you this little nugget of news: there are a few Democrats who'd like to be governor, too. Hold on, Linc Chafee! Dems Frank Caprio, Patrick Lynch, and Elizabeth Roberts would also like to be governor in 2010 By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | April 24, 2009

Whereas a few months ago it seemed that no one could pose a serious threat to any re-election campaign mounted by Governor Deval Patrick, a recent string of missteps has suddenly made him very vulnerable. As Deval Patrick flails, Tim Cahill is positioning himself to run. And that's a-okay with the Patrick team. By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | April 01, 2009

When tourists admire Maine's picturesque waterfronts, they aren't close enough to smell the barrels reeking with rotting lobster bait. Politicians have left it to the people By LANCE TAPLEY | March 18, 2009

On the surface, moderation appears to be a simple concept. Avoid extremes. Seek compromise. ... It's sort of like being a hypocrite, except without most of the fun parts. Alliance for Maine's Future thinks the Maine Legislature needs more moderates. By AL DIAMON | February 25, 2009

Newly elected Democratic House Representative Chellie Pingree split her time between the mundane and the meaningful during her freshman-legislator orientation in Washington DC last week. Dispatch from DC By DEIRDRE FULTON | November 26, 2008

Why did Maine voters give overwhelming approval to a tax-repeal referendum on Nov. 4, while simultaneously returning to office even more of the Democratic legislators who passed the unpopular tax in the first place? Politics and other mistakes By AL DIAMON | November 12, 2008

The Brown University class being taught this semester by Lincoln Chafee, the Republican US senator-turned-independent supporter of Barack Obama, has an up-to-the-moment title: “Whither America.” Obama supporter Lincoln Chafee talks about the post-election landscape By IAN DONNIS | November 05, 2008

Mynameissarah.net is the Web project of a small consortium of media professionals who met up in Pennsylvania a few weeks ago to travel to swing states and produce videos about “Sarahs” who support Barack Obama. My name is Sarah By SARA FAITH ALTERMAN | October 22, 2008

Phillipe + Jorge are furious over the $700 billion bailout of the pinstriped pirates of Wall Street, who are laughing as they return to their McMansions. Our congressional officials owe Rhode Island an apology By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | October 09, 2008

It doesn't matter how many negative ads are broadcast or how many moose are slain on the tundra, candidates and their actions don't transform our politics nearly as much as outside events and circumstances do. George W. Bush’s failures may have set off a tectonic shift in US presidential politics, commencing a Democratic Party reign By STEVEN STARK | October 09, 2008

Presidential candidates and their surrogates spend most of their time in high-population, close-contest areas. Why McCain, Obama, and their supporters are swooping down on New Hampshire By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | September 17, 2008

We rounded up a few Maine luminaries who’ve alighted in the Mile High City for the Democratic National Convention, and translated their observations into Facebook speak. News feed By DEIRDRE FULTON | August 27, 2008

For all the fawning press Barack Obama has received, the grace and favor with which he has been treated is nothing compared with the free ride McCain has enjoyed. A new talent must wrestle with an old hand at political survival By EDITORIAL | August 27, 2008

Two well-known Mainers will take a peace petition to the Democratic National Convention in Denver this weekend, aimed specifically at opposing military action, flat-out war, and economic sanctions against Iran. Peace talks By DEIRDRE FULTON | August 20, 2008

At next week’s Democratic National Convention in Denver, Hillary Clinton’s delegates will get just about everything they’ve wanted — aside from the nomination of their candidate, of course. Clinton die-hards have created a new-girls’ network bent on remedying decades of sexism by putting women in elected office By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | August 20, 2008

As he closes out his second six-year term in the Senate, perhaps the most elite club in politics, Reed is the subject of ongoing speculation about his future. Without seeking the spotlight, the senator and his star continue to rise By IAN DONNIS | August 13, 2008

What people want is someone who knows what he believes, says so, and stands up for it even in the face of criticism. Barack Obama must fight for his principles, or he’ll give away the keys to the White House By JEFF INGLIS | July 30, 2008

In the modern age, America’s major-party conventions are love fests, feting their preselected nominees. But that may not be the case this year for Barack Obama. Rather than get a bounce from his convention, Obama might actually be hurt by the Democratic nominating event By STEVEN STARK | July 09, 2008